Infant sitting support device

ABSTRACT

A head and body support device for infants to facilitate sitting which includes a substantially upright back section and first and second wrap-around side arms that are flexibly attached to the sides of the front surface of the back support member. The first side arm extends outward from the right side of the back and extends around in a curvilinear fashion back toward the left side of the back. The first side arm and the back form a cavity therebetween which receives and supports the infant in an upright sitting position. The second side arm extends out from the left side of the back in a curvilinear fashion and overlaps the first side arm. Straps are attached to each of the side arms and a buckle is secured to the ends of each of the straps. The straps may be lengthened or shortened depending on the size of the infant and the amount of sitting support that is desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application discloses and claims the invention disclosed in previously filed Provisional Application 60/719,628 which bears a filing date of Sep. 22, 2005 and the same applicants as herein. This application claims priority of filing date of the previously filed provisional application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a head and body support device for infants to facilitate sitting. More particularly, the present invention support device includes an upward extending back and head support section and wrap-around side arms flexibly attached to the back section to restrain a baby in a selected position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a head and body support device for infants and babies to facilitate sitting. The present invention infant sitting support device includes a substantially upright back section and first and second wrap-around side arms that are flexibly attached to the sides of the front surface of the back support member. The first side arm extends outward from the right side of the back and extends around in a curvilinear fashion back toward the left side of the back. The first side arm and the back form a cavity therebetween which receives and supports the infant in an upright sitting position. The second side arm extends out from the left side of the back in a curvilinear fashion and overlaps the first side arm. Straps are attached to each of the side arms and a buckle is secured to the ends of each of the straps. The straps may be lengthened or shortened depending on the size of the infant and the amount of sitting support that is desired. The baby is placed within the cavity, and is supported in a sitting position by the back and side arms. The buckle is fastened for additional sitting support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention infant body support of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the present invention showing the flexible attachment of a side arm.

FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the presenting invention showing the flexible attachment of a side arm.

FIG. 3 is front view of the present invention showing the two side arms overlapped and buckled into place.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the recessed section of the first side arm.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention showing the height of the back relative to the side arms as well as the contoured back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a support pillow device for supporting the body and head of a young baby or an infant. The body support is utilized to position and secure a baby in an upright and erect sitting position. It is particularly advantageous when utilized to support an infant with physical disabilities, but its utilitarian benefits are not limited to such babies.

Referring to FIG. 1 through 4, the present invention body support device is a free standing device that will sit upright on the floor or other such flat surface. The body support is formed from a plush material in the manner of a pillow cover and is filled with soft material such as foam, down, feathers, or other such filler. The pillow cover is provided with a zipper located at the bottom of the body support so that the cover can be removed for cleaning. The body support device includes, generally, a first wrap-around side arm 10, a second wrap-around side arm 12, a back-support section 14, and a buckle or other sucuring means 16. The bottom of the back support section and the bottom surface of the first and second side arms are aligned and present substantially flat surfaces for stable placement of the device on a floor or other surface.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A and 2, the body support includes a first wrap-around side arm 10, which side arm is positioned snugly around the body of the infant. The first side arm is flexibly attached to the right side of the back support at connection point 18. The first side arm extends outward from the right side of the back and extends around in a curvilinear fashion back toward the left side of the back and tapers to a point at its terminus. At the connection point with the back support section, the first side arm is flexible with respect to the back support so that the side arm can be opened to facilitate placement of the baby. If desired as in the preferred embodiment, the front of the first side arm may be recessed to better receive and accommodate the baby's legs, as best seen in FIG. 3A which recess is denote as 28.

A second wrap-around side arm 12 extends out from the left side of the back in a curvilinear fashion and overlaps the first side arm near the terminus of the first side arm. As such, as is seen in the figures, the second side arm is significantly shorter than the first side-arm. Likewise, the second side arm is flexible with respect to the back support section and tapers to a point at its terminus.

The first side arm and the second side arm work in conjunction with each other and with the back section to form a cavity to surround and support an infant in an upright sitting position. The top surfaces of the first and second support arms are configured to extend to a predetermined height HI as seen in FIG. 4, this predetermined height selected to correspond to the approximate location of the baby's waist or lower chest.

Hook and loop type closure means is provided and is positioned near the terminus of the first side arm and the interacts with its corresponding hook and loop closure on the second side arm near its attachment point with the back support section.

Straps 20 and 22 are attached to the front side of the first side arm and the front side of the second side arm, respectively. A buckle 16 or other securing or closure means is provided to connect the two straps together which buckle is configured to select closure tension of the body support by lengthening or shortening one of the straps. Specifically, one member of the buckle is attached to the first strap, and the other member of the buckle is attached to the second strap. Thus, once the baby is retained in the cavity formed by the two side arms, the buckle is closed to retain and provide additional support to the baby. The length of one or both of the straps may be selected depending on the amount of support to the baby that is desired as well as the size of the baby.

The back support section 14 of the present invention body support extends up to a predetermined height H2 as seen in FIG. 4. This predetermined height is a height which is higher than the height H1 of the top surface of the side arms and is chosen to correspond to properly provide support to the head of the baby. The back support section may include a concave front surface which front surface supports the back of the baby as signified by the dotted line in FIG. 4. A carrying handle 24 may be attached to the top of the back support section.

If desired, toys 26 may be provided and attached to the top surface of the first wrap-around side arm or elsewhere on the present invention to keep the baby amused.

The present invention is utilized in the following manner. An infant or a baby is positioned with its back against the back support portion. Now, the first side arm is wrapped around the waist or lower chest of the baby. Next, the second side arm is wrapped around the first side arm whereby the first and second arms are positioned by the hook and loop fasteners. Finally, the two straps are buckled to together to provide support. If desired the straps are shortened or lengthened according to the size of the baby and the amount of support desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles and preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, operation and embodiment shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A body support for supporting an infant, comprising: a back support section, said back support section rising to a first predetermined height, said back support section having a front surface, a first side and a second side; a first wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said first side of said back support section; a second wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said second side of said back support section, whereby said front surface of said back support and said first wrap around arm form a cavity therebetween for receiving a baby; said first wrap around arm and said second wrap-around arm rising to a second predetermined height, said second predetermined height less than said first predetermined height, a strap attached to said first side arm and a strap attached to said second side arm; and closure means to buckle the said straps together thereby retaining the baby in an upright position.
 2. The body support of claim 1 wherein said front surface of said back support is contoured in a concave configuration.
 3. The body support of claim 1 which includes a recess on said first side arm, said recess sized and configured to receive a baby's legs.
 4. The body support of claim 1 which further includes at least one toy attached thereto.
 5. The body support of claim 1 which further includes a handle attached thereto.
 6. A body support for supporting an infant, comprising: a back support section, having a front surface a first side and a second side; a first wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said first side of said back support section, whereby said front surface of said back support and said first wrap around arm form a cavity therebetween for receiving a baby; a second wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said second side of said back support section; a strap attached to said first side arm and a strap attached to said second side arm; and closure means to buckle the said straps together thereby retaining the baby in an upright position.
 7. A body support for supporting an infant, comprising: a back support section, said back support section rising to a first predetermined height, said back support section having a front surface, a first side and a second side; a first wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said first side of said back support section, whereby said front surface of said back support and said first wrap around arm form a cavity therebetween for receiving a baby; a second wrap-around arm flexibly attached to said second side of said back support section; said first wrap around arm and said second wrap-around arm rising to a second predetermined height, said second predetermined height less than said first predetermined height. 